EGBA calls for EU-wide gambling consumer rights

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called for EU-wide consumer rights to be introduced for the online gambling sector.

The industry body submitted its proposal to the European Commission (EC) ahead of the publication of its consumer strategy later this year and argued a single set of consumer rights would provide “balanced and fair contract terms” across the bloc.

The EGBA claimed, that in its current format, the cross-border nature of online gambling means players are not equally protected throughout the EU, with each member state responsible for developing its own regulations.

The group cited a 2018 study published by City University London that highlighted how players across Europe are exposed to “unequal and inadequate consumer safeguards” depending on their geographical location.

The new recommendations include an EU-wide self-exclusion register, greater regulatory cooperation between countries and the potential to re-instate the European expert group for online gambling.

The European expert group for online gambling was dissolved in late 2018 and had previously been tasked with establishing cooperation between member states and advising the EC on policy.

In a statement, the EGBA said: “In light of a new European Consumer Agenda, we believe that introducing a specific single set of consumer rights that apply to the online gambling sector will guarantee a high level of protection for consumers, increase transparency and legal certainty and lead to balanced and fair contract terms and an overall increased security for the player.”